Despite a rocky start as the season’s host, the Knights turned their fortunes around in the second round, overhauled a twice-to-beat disadvantage against second-ranked San Sebastian College-Recoletos before bowing to eventual three-time defending champion San Beda in an epic finals battle that went the full three-game route.

According to him, his assistants Kris Reyes and Tino Pinat will handle the team when they see action in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League.

Intriguingly, Alas has suddenly surfaced as one of the prime candidates for the head coaching post of the Blue Eagles, who have been left by coach Norman Black after completing a ‘five-peat’ in the UAAP.